Shakespeare and hip-hop: an unlikely marriage

Students at St. Philip’s College perform Shakespeare with a hip-hop twist.

By Valerie Champion

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

A hip-hop version of William Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” adapted by Vincent Hardy and directed by Jason Mosher, will be at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Watson Fine Arts Center at St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive.

Drama freshman Michael Avila said “Comedy of Errors” will be his first theater role. He said the play can be interesting, even to someone who is not familiar with Shakespeare.

“The language is still a little bit difficult to understand,” he said. “But it’s aesthetically pleasing.”

Director Jason Mosher said the college may do more Shakespeare adaptations like “Comedy of Errors” in the future.

“I think it’s Shakespeare’s most accessible play, but it’s also his shortest,” he said. “You may see another attempt at another play.”

St. Philip’s automotive technology graduate Dominic Heningburg will perform his first major role as D’ro, the hip-hop version of Dromio. He said although he’s only done Shakespeare in a classroom setting, he is able to find inspiration for his performance by reading the play and trying to relate to the characters.

“I focus on what characters draw me more,” he said.

Avila said he drew inspiration for his performance as Ant, the hip-hop version of Antipholus, from old TV shows like “Looney Tunes” and “The Three Stooges.”

General admission for “Comedy of Errors” is $10. For Alamo Colleges students and employees, seniors and San Antonio Theater Coalition members, admission is $5. There is free admission for high school students. For more information, call 210-486-2205.